Here’s what to do before diving into the world of tropical fish-keeping
Are you looking to get into tropical fish keeping? Well there are a few fundamental things to consider BEFORE you shell out a penny. Here’s our beginners’ guide to choosing and buying a fish tank.
ist out all of the items you’ll need to get started with, which at a minimum should include the tank itself, lighting, heating and water treatment units. These will be your basic outlays in terms of cost, as well as that of the fish themselves. As well as food, your main running costs will be the heating and lighting energy use, where investment can actually save you money in the long run (check out our guide to running an efficient aquarium on a budget )
Realistically it will cost £200 to £400 to get started with decent equipment. If your budget doesn't allow it, it’s perhaps wiser to save until the funds are available to get everything you need. Put plainly, cheap equipment will fail and could kill your fish.
Small aquariums are actually more difficult to manage than larger ones, as toxins build up more quickly in the smaller volume of water.
"Hey, Steve, let's play hide and seek in the waterpark"
Used equipment in good condition is always worth an investment, though. Make sure you see it before agreeing on anything and check it for obvious signs of wear and tear.
Be aware that used tanks may leak, and heaters or filters may not work at all. Ask questions up front, and don’t be too afraid of dirty glass or decorations, as that can be cleaned pretty easily. However, scratches and cracks can’t be rectified, so check used equipment closely for damage.
Small aquariums are actually more difficult to manage than larger ones, as toxins build up more quickly in the smaller volume of water.
Small aquariums are actually more difficult to manage than larger ones, as toxins build up more quickly in the smaller volume of water due to temperature and water chemistry changes occurring more quickly.
While it’ll obviously take a lot longer to clean and refill a larger tank, you’ll have to do so less frequently than with a smaller one, so our advice is to avoid mini-aquariums that range from five to 10 litres. In fact, if at all possible, our recommendation is to go with a 75 litres or larger tank. Ironically, larger tanks are easier to maintain and clean, and you’ll have a much better chance of keeping your fish as happy and healthy as can be.
